Full Circle: How the Ronald McDonald House Became a Lifeline for the Wilson Family

For Bree and Zak Wilson, the journey to parenthood came with unexpected challenges. Midway through Bree’s pregnancy, doctors discovered that their daughter, Mara, had a blockage in her stomach—often referred to as a “double bubble.” Additional testing led to a genetic screening, which confirmed that Mara had Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), along with a heart defect.

At just 32 weeks, Bree went into preterm labor. Doctors were able to stop it, reducing two liters of excess fluid, and the Wilsons hoped to make it to 38 weeks. But at 36 weeks and three days, Mara made her arrival. Born at 12:54 a.m. on October 15, weighing 6 pounds, 1 ounce, she was immediately placed in the NICU, where she would undergo surgery just two days later to correct the blockage in her stomach—allowing her to eat.

Baby Mara born at 6lbs 1oz

Despite the relief of a successful surgery, Bree and Zak faced an overwhelming reality: their newborn was in the NICU, and they had nowhere to stay. While they lived just 30 minutes away in Swanton, Ohio, the thought of leaving Mara’s side, even for a night, was unbearable.

That’s when the Ronald McDonald House stepped in.

A Place to Rest, Refuel, and Stay Close

“The moment we were discharged from the hospital, we knew we weren’t ready to go home. We didn’t know what we would have done without the Ronald McDonald House,” Bree recalled. “Those two nights, we didn’t have to worry about anything—not how we would commute, not how we would eat. RMHC provided everything.”

“We didn’t know what we would have done without the Ronald McDonald House.” – Bree Wilson

From the moment they arrived, RMHC Northwest Ohio felt like a place of comfort and care. A staff member, Eric, warmly welcomed them, gave them a tour, and handed them a check-in bag filled with thoughtful essentials—including a handmade quilt that the Wilsons still use for Mara today.

Having access to fresh food and a home-cooked meal was a small but deeply meaningful relief. “Getting a real cup of coffee with real creamer after pregnancy was a big thing. And the grapes—oh my goodness, they were amazing,” Bree laughed. “I hadn’t had fresh vegetables for a while because of my pregnancy, and something as simple as that made such a difference.”

As a first-time mom, another unexpected blessing was RMHC’s breast pump availability. “We weren’t sure when Mara was going to be able to eat, and having that available to me without stress was huge.”

Coming Full Circle

The Wilsons had actually been to RMHC once before—though in a much different capacity. Nearly a year before Mara’s birth, Bree and a group of friends volunteered to make dinner for families staying at the House. “At the time, we didn’t truly understand the impact we were making,” she admitted. “Little did we know that one year later, we’d be the ones staying here.”

The Wilson family and friends volunteering to make a meal at the Ronald McDonald House.

In fact, one of the friends she volunteered with had also ended up staying at the Ronald McDonald House during their own medical journey—a full-circle moment that reinforced the power of the House’s mission.

When Bree and Zak decided to stay at RMHC, hospital staff encouraged them to take time to check in, eat, and decompress before returning to Mara’s side. The House provided not just food and a place to sleep, but also a moment of peace—a quiet space to process everything they were going through.

A Message to RMHC Donors and Staff

Now that the Wilsons have returned home and Mara is growing stronger every day, Bree has a deeper appreciation for the role RMHC played in their journey. “There are so many different ways to support the Ronald McDonald House. I love the reminders on social media, especially Wish List Wednesdays. There is nothing too small to donate—everything they provide is exactly what families need.”

To the large donors who help sustain RMHC, Bree offers heartfelt gratitude. “It’s one thing to have a family member in the hospital, but it’s a whole different experience to have your newborn there. Your extraordinary gifts make sure families like ours don’t have to worry about where to stay, what to eat, or how to be close to their baby.”

Zak and Bree Wilson leaving the NICU on November 5, 2024.

And to the RMHC staff? “I don’t think any of you realize your role in something so much bigger. It’s not just one of you—it’s all of you, working together, that makes this House such a vital resource for families like ours.”

What If RMHC Hadn’t Been There?

Without the Ronald McDonald House, Bree and Zak’s options would have been limited. “I would have stayed another night in the hospital just because of my C-section, but that wasn’t the ideal situation. My husband would have slept on the couch again, and I didn’t want to spend another night in a hospital bed. Otherwise, we would have had to pay for a hotel. We wouldn’t have had nourishing meals or a moment to step away from the hospital setting.”

Instead, RMHC provided exactly what they needed—peace of mind, comfort, and the ability to stay close to their daughter without stress.

Life After the NICU

Today, Mara is thriving. “She’s so fun—she’s started to smile with these big grins, especially when we get home from work,” Bree said. “She’s growing so much and finally fits into her going-home outfit!”

“The Ronald McDonald House means everything to us.” – Bree Wilson

Reflecting on their experience, Bree’s voice is filled with emotion. “The Ronald McDonald House means everything to me. Looking back, I don’t think I realized the impact it had on our story at the time—I was just in the mindset of ‘we have to get through this.’ But now, thinking about what could have gone wrong and how the House supported us, I see just how much it truly meant.”

For the Wilsons, the Ronald McDonald House wasn’t just a place to stay—it was a lifeline, a source of strength, and a reminder that even in the toughest moments, kindness and community can make all the difference.

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